UVU Athletics: Preston Darger hired as director of marketing

By Clint Burgi
For the Deseret News

Published: Thursday, June 26 2014 7:30 p.m. MDT

Utah Valley University announced the hiring of Preston Darger as its new Director of Athletics Marketing. He will oversee the marketing office of UVU Athletics for the school’s 16 NCAA Division I programs, including the inaugural season of men’s soccer this fall.

Darger comes to UVU after five years in athletic marketing at Brigham Young University. While at BYU, he led on-campus marketing and promotions for men’s basketball and football, and was the head of marketing and promotions for baseball. He also led a complete rebrand of the student section and served as its president from 2012-14.

“Preston stood out amidst a deep pool of national candidates for this position. His passion and enthusiasm is evident in how he approaches his duties as the director of marketing,” Senior Associate Athletic Director Jared Sumsion said. “We are delighted to welcome him to the Wolverine family."

Darger was born and raised in Boise, Idaho, where he attended Timberline High School and was a student council representative and choir president. Following high school, he served an LDS mission in New York City.

“Preston’s energy is contagious,” Associate Athletic Director Clint Burgi said. “His ability and personality make him the perfect fit here at UVU. We’re thrilled that he has chosen to become a Wolverine.”

Darger is a graduate of BYU with a degree in communications with an emphasis in advertising. He enjoys water skiing and traveling, and he has been to Thailand, Egypt, Israel and throughout Europe.

The son of Stan and Anne Carroll Darger, he comes from an athletic family. His sister, Liz, has been an assistant coach for UVU women’s basketball since 2008. Another sister, Emily, played volleyball at Colorado State and was the director of marketing at BYU from 2004-08. His brother, Ford, played basketball at Whitman College and several other members of his family competed in collegiate athletics, including four cousins and an aunt who have rowed at Harvard.

Clint Burgi is the assistant athletic director for sports information at Utah Valley University. For more information on Wolverine athletics, visit WolverineGreen.com.